An apparatus (4) and method of non-invasive monitoring of gut motility. An ingestible magnet (10, M) is swallowed by the patient (12) and then linear and rotational movement is directionally detected by an external compass (14, 16). In preferred form, movements of the magnet (10, M) are recorded by a memory means (18) and graphically presented (20) over a period of predetermined time. An alternate embodiment includes multiple compasses (C1, C2) for directionally locating the magnet (10, M) within the patient (12).